Table of Contents
Introduction
A person seeing halos around bright light can be the response of the eyes to bright light, but this can also be caused by some eye conditions. Seeing halos around the light when bright lights like the headlight are looked at directly is common. Usually, these halos formed are harmless and are considered a typical response of the eye or may be caused by the use of glasses or contact lenses. Read the article to know more.
Why Do People See Halos Around Lights?
Halos are the normal response of the eye to bright light. Sometimes, it can be caused by the glasses or the contact lenses. In some other cases, halos are seen as a side effect caused by cataracts or LASIK surgery. However, if halos appear suddenly or are accompanied by pain, blurred vision, or other discomforts, then they are of concern. People who are developing cataracts can see halos around light during the night as a result of alterations seen in the eye lens. The halos are formed due to the diffraction of light entering the eyes. It is better to consult with the doctor if the person is suddenly experiencing halos around the light.
What Are the Causes of Halos Around Light in the Night?
Usually, halos around the light are caused due to diffraction or bending of the light entering the eyes. Many eye conditions can also cause halos around the light; these are:
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Cataract: A cataract is a condition where cloudy areas are formed over the lens, which disturbs the vision. This condition is very gradual in progress and is seen commonly in old people. The cloud formation can be responsible for the diffraction of light while entering the eye, thus resulting in halo formation around the light. This is commonly caused by subcapsular cataracts, which are characterized by light sensitivity, blurred near vision, and glare and halos around the light. This form of cataract is very common among diabetic people or those who have been taking steroids for a long time. The formation of halos around the light can also be a side effect of cataract surgery, where the natural lens is replaced by an artificial lens.
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Fuchs’ Dystrophy: Fuchs’ dystrophy is a condition where the clear front part of the eye, called the cornea, swells. This causes the light to bend when it enters the eye. It is a progressive and hereditary condition of the cornea. In the initial stages of this condition, excess fluid buildup occurs overnight, resulting in blurred vision in the morning. The blurry vision can clear up in a few hours, and in the later stage, it takes long hours for the vision to get cleared. This usually occurs in people in their 50s to 60s. Other symptoms of this condition are the formation of halos around the light, a gritty feeling in the eye, pain, and discomfort in the presence of bright light.
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Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a common condition that is caused by optic nerve damage caused due to excessive pressure over the nerve. Excessive pressure is caused by the fluid in the eye that does not drain normally and accumulates. Halos around the light is very commonly seen in angle-closure glaucoma. This is an emergency and, if left untreated, can result in blindness in a few days.
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Migraine: Those people who experience migraine will have a phase prior to migraine attack called a migraine aura. In this phase, the person can experience vision disturbances, which include the formation of halos around the light. This can last between five minutes to an hour.
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Keratoconus: The cornea starts to get thinner and causes a cone-like bulge. This can cause visual impairment and results in the formation of halos around the light. The cause of this condition is not very clear.
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LASIK Surgery: Generally, after the LASIK surgery, it is common to see halos around the light. This is the side effect of the surgery, where the eye adjusts to adapt to the newly shaped cornea. These vision problems will last for some days and subside on their own.
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Dry Eyes: When the eyes become dry, commonly, the superficial part becomes irregular. The unusual shape of the eye will impact the way the eye receives the light, and as a result of the irregular shape, the person starts seeing halos around the light. Dry eyes can also result in redness, burning, pain, etc.
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Photokeratitis: The occurrence of halos around the light can be an indication of photokeratitis. This is a condition that occurs when unprotected exposure to UV (ultraviolet) radiation causes damage to the cornea. This condition subsides on its own in a couple of days.
How Can Formation of Halos Around the Light Can Be Managed?
Providing proper treatment for the above condition can prevent the occurrence of halos around the light. The treatment usually depends on the underlying cause of this condition. Initially, the doctor can perform a complete eye exam to see what the problem is, and based on the cause of the issue, the treatment will be personalized.
How Can the Occurrence of Halos Around the Light Can Be Prevented?
One way to prevent the formation of halos around light is by avoiding the development of the underlying conditions that cause this condition. Some conditions cannot be completely prevented by managing these conditions, but managing them can help prevent the occurrence of halos around the eye. Some methods include:
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Regular eye examination.
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Monitoring other health conditions such as diabetes.
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Using sunglasses to protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays.
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Intake of healthy food that is rich in vitamins and carotenoids, like tomatoes, spinach, and carrots.
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Reduce alcohol intake.
When Should a Person Consult the Doctor?
Even though, for most of the people, seeing halos around the light is a normal thing, it is better to consult the doctor once to confirm there is no eye issue. Only through complete eye examination can it be confirmed that seeing halos around the light is normal. Some symptoms, such as eye pain, blurred vision, itchy eyes, blind spots, and dryness, need to be consulted with the doctor.
Conclusion
Occurence of halos around light is a common condition, but at times, it can also be a serious issue that needs to be treated. There are many eye conditions which can cause formation of halos around the light. This condition can be treated by treating the underlying cause of the condition. Formation of haloes around the eye can be prevented through some lifestyle changes and by avoiding the development of the underlying cause.
